The Mainland’s Longest-Running Ukulele Festival Returns This Weekend

By Greg Olwell

The longest running ukulele festival on the mainland takes place this weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 22nd annual Ukulele Festival of Northern California is scheduled for Sunday, April 24 at Chabot College in Hayward, California.

This ukulele festival is a big event in the regional Polynesian community, so count on lots of ohana and aloha.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Kamaka Ukulele” and will feature performances throughout the day with a headliner concert, prize drawings, a scholarship award, plus booths with food and arts and crafts. And, Kamaka will feature prominently in this event, of course, with a slideshow tribute and performers.

The concert will feature performances by Herb Ohta Jr, Kalei Gamiao, Asa Young, Bryan Tolentino, Chris Kamaka, Del Beazley, and Ihilani Kamaka.

Tickets are $25 and will be available at the door. Each admission ticket enters the purchaser into the Kamaka door-prize giveaway, with the winner receiving a custom-made Kamaka.